Study in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide for International Students

Welcome to Australia, also known as the “Land Down Under.” This country is known for both its rich culture and its high-quality schools. Australia welcomes foreign students who want to change their lives through education. Its cities are very different and its universities are very well known.

Why should you choose Australia?

• Australian degrees are globally recognised, providing a competitive edge in the international job market.
• Top-ranked universities with globally recognised excellence.
• Good amount of scholarship opportunities.
• Immerse yourself in Australia’s multicultural environment, fostering cross-cultural understanding, high quality of life, and personal growth.
• Choose from a wide array of courses and institutions, tailoring your education to align with your interests and career goals.
• Australia’s post-study work options and skilled migration pathways open doors to rewarding career opportunities.
• Opportunity to explore natural beauty and historical places.

Capital City: Canberra

Canberra, which is the capital city, has a lot of educational and artistic opportunities. Spend time with the active academic community and discover how Canberra’s history, art, and natural beauty make it stand out.

Other Important Cities

Each Australian city is unique and vibrant. You can choose from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Queensland, and Canberra, all known for their culture and academic prowess.

Currency and Language

The Currency of Australia is Australian Dollars (AUD).
You can enjoy living in an English-speaking country. Australian English, the native language, helps international students adjust.

Available Intakes

Most universities in Australia offer two major intakes: February and July, providing flexibility in planning your academic journey. 

Though, November intake is also available in some universities for Business and Engineering related courses.

Average Tuition Fees

Australia caters to a variety of budgets, with tuition fees for Bachelor’s degrees: between 20,000 – 45,000 AUD/year, and for Master’s and PhD degrees: between 22,000 – 50,000 AUD/year.

World-Renowned Universities in Iconic Cities

Universities in Australia are known all over the world. The University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of Queensland, and the University of Sydney are just a few examples. These universities have branches in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, and Queensland, so you can pick from a number of different places.

Australia offers a wide range of academic fields, from engineering to the social sciences.

University Rankings

Excellence Recognised Around the World: Look into universities that consistently rank among the best in the world. This will make your degree more valuable and give you a solid basis for your career.

Leading Universities

Start your educational journey with some of Australia’s most famous universities:

• The Australian National University.
• Monash University.
• The University of Adelaide.
• The University of Melbourne.
• The University of Queensland.
• The University of Sydney.
• The University of Western Australia.
• University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney.
• Western Sydney University.
• University of Technology Sydney, and more.

Available Programs

You can pick from many different programmes in many different fields, such as engineering, medicine, business, the arts, and more. There are a lot of classes available in Australia, so there is something for every academic interest.

IELTS Requirement

Please, find the IELTS requirement which is applicable to most of the universities.

For UG: IELTS 6.0

For PG: IELTS 6.5

Many universities may ask for a higher IELTS score.

Scholarship Opportunities

Australia offers a range of scholarship opportunities for international students.

Explore various scholarships, including the Australia Awards, Destination Australia Program, and institution-specific scholarships. These financial aids recognise academic merit and offer support to ease the financial burden on international students.

Required Documents for Application

• Passport (Biodata Page Only)
• All Academic Certificate and Marksheets
• CV
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)/ Motivation Letter
• Reference/Recommendation Letter from Last Academic Institution
• Employment letter / Work Experience Letter (If there is
• any study gap)
• IELTS Report

Sometimes, universities may ask for additional documents.

Application Process

To kickstart your Australian education journey, follow these key steps:

• Choose your preferred city and institution that align with your academic goals.
• Check Admission Requirements: Ensure you meet the admission requirements, including English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL).
• Apply to the University with the required documents and pay the application fees (if needed).
• Apply for GTE Clearance
• Pay the deposit after getting an offer letter.
• Apply for the student visa (Subclass 500) with essential documents, such as Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and health cover, Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)  bank statement, and proof of funds.
• Budget appropriately, showcasing financial proof for tuition fees and living expenses.

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE)

For Australian student visas, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is one of the most important ones. This is done to make sure that students who come to Australia to study really do plan to go back to their home country when they’re done.

You must meet the GTE standard if you want to apply for a student visa to Australia. Never fear, it’s not as hard as it sounds! The GTE requirement and how to meet it will be assisted by us. If you are ready to talk to an expert, we would be happy to help you meet your GTE standards. We have helped thousands of students do it.

Financial Overview

Cost of Living

The cost of living, including accommodation, transportation, and daily expenses, is estimated at AUD 21,041 per year.

The table below shows the average weekly costs of most accommodation options, according to the Australian Government website.

Some other costs (per week) are: 

• Internet/phone: $20 – 55
• Food: $80 – 300
• Electricity/gas: $10 – 140
• Transport: $12 – 65

Some Essential Charges

Prioritize your well-being with Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). For a single person, the annual cost is $478, while couples (student and spouse) and families (student, spouse, and children)  can obtain coverage for $2600 and $4200, respectively.

Securing a student visa (Subclass 500) is crucial. A single-person application costs $650 AUD. 

Dependent Opportunities, Costs, and Documents Needed

If you’re accompanied by partners or children, Australia caters to your family’s needs. Essential documents required for dependents are proof of relationship (passport, marriage certificate, Nikahnama, birth certificate), financial capacity (bank statement and solvency), and health insurance.

The dependent cost (only for showing funds in bank) for partners is $7,362, and for children, it is $3,152.

Visa Success Rate and Bank Statement

Australia has a high success rate with visas, which makes it a good place for foreign students. Prepare a bank account that shows how much money you have to cover tuition and living costs.

Bank statement with a  6 months of maturity is needed for an Australian student visa and proof of funds is also required.

Work Opportunities

As a student, you can work part-time (20 hours/week), while dependents can work full-time (40 hours/week).

In some regional areas and for selected courses, students can work full-time (40 hours/week) with some conditions.

Post-Study Opportunities – Subclass 485

It’s a great chance to stay in Australia and work for a longer time after finishing studies!

Upon completion, explore post-study work options with the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), offering a window of 2-6 years for gaining valuable work experience.

The post-graduation work permit is called Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). 

Australia now offers up to 4 years of Post-Study Work (PSW) rights to international students post completion of their respective Bachelors or Masters Degree in regional areas.

In major/ central areas, students normally get a work permit for 2-3 years.

You can get more information in the following table:

Skilled Worker Visa or Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 487)

If you are granted the Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 487), you will be able to live and work in Regional Australia temporarily for three years. After living and working there full-time for two years, you can apply for a permanent Skilled Visa.

In order to get this visa, you must:

• you must have a satisfactory IELTS score and
• you must have a skills assessment.

PR (Permanent Residence) 

To become a permanent resident of Australia, you must apply for and be given a permanent visa that lets you stay in the country forever. Some skilled work visas and family visas are the most popular types of permanent visas.

For those aspiring for Permanent Residence (PR), the Skilled Worker Visa (Subclass 487) is a pathway. Achieving PR involves earning additional points, enhancing your prospects for long-term residency.

Conclusion

There’s more to studying in Australia than just schoolwork. It’s a complete journey that includes learning, experiencing other cultures, and finding work after you graduate. You can open up a world of opportunities for a bright and happy future if you choose to study in Australia.